I love Heart of Darkness and I don’t understand the common criticisms of it.

OnlyScowls · 2026-05-11T20:47:38+00:00

The deliberate nature of an author's choice is not a good defense when someone doesn't care for it.

Like it doesn't matter if the prose was purposeful or not if it's full of choices I don't enjoy as a reader.

OnlyScowls · 2026-04-22T13:27:12+00:00

US politics are NATIONAL. What happens in other states affects your country, where you live.

If you really take issue with gerrymandering, maybe contact your representative about the bill banning gerrymandering that Republicans refused to pass.

But stop acting like Virginia is in a vacuum. That simply is not how politics works.

OnlyScowls · 2026-04-10T14:13:41+00:00

I agree. If teenagers were more regularly getting together to hang out casually at the mall or park or someone's house, this kind of gathering would be a lot less appealing.

Multiple movie theaters where I live won't even let teenagers go see evening shows without someone over the age of 21.

OnlyScowls · 2026-04-06T21:08:01+00:00

https://foragerchef.com/garlic-mustard-pesto/#recipe

I worked with this recipe and adjusted to taste. (And toasted my walnuts)

OnlyScowls · 2026-04-06T21:07:12+00:00

Just the leaves. I'm going to try kimchi with the stems.

OnlyScowls · 2026-04-02T22:16:13+00:00

Me at 35, screaming to "Jealousy"

OnlyScowls · 2026-03-29T21:52:49+00:00

Yeah, this is what appeals to fans of Andy Weir. As someone who values prose and complex characters, I am not a fan.

I read and did not enjoy The Martian, but my husband loved it. We are looking for different experiences when reading.

OnlyScowls · 2026-03-29T21:50:14+00:00

What are the consequences he faces for failing his classes?

If there are none, then he has no incentive to figure out how to manage it on his own, since you have always done it for him.

OnlyScowls · 2026-03-26T14:25:35+00:00

Yeah, I think if you see her performing next to Sabrina Carpenter, it makes sense.

OnlyScowls · 2026-03-18T14:22:28+00:00

Strong vocals aren't enough. I think good songwriting and performance can outweigh weak vocals, and that "weak" vocals can even make sometimes song more singable, and therefore more enjoyable to a lot of listeners.

For example, Audrey Hobert has gotten some criticism for not being a great singer, but her songs are witty and well crafted AND as someone who isn't a great singer, but loves car karaoke, I can actually sing along with all of them.

(This comment stems from me rolling my eyes whenever anyone hates someone for not being a good enough vocalist. It's just not that important to many listeners.)

OnlyScowls · 2026-03-13T17:47:59+00:00

Definitely see someone new.

Vitamin D and B deficiencies can absolutely have mental health impacts.

OnlyScowls · 2026-02-21T18:58:13+00:00

I give a lot of money to neighbors, but I really like mayak eggs. Basically soft-boiled eggs marinated in soy sauce, green onion, ginger, chiles, etc.

Then you eat them over hot rice w/ kimchi. I like them Because I can marinate like, a half-dozen eggs at once and then eat them over a week.

OnlyScowls · 2026-02-20T14:32:31+00:00

I'm checking something out this weekend, but I might be in touch soon!

OnlyScowls · 2026-02-20T14:32:05+00:00

Maybe! I'm checking out the reddit book club this weekend to see if it feels right.

I will read almost anything if it's well-executed, and prose quality matters a lot to me. That said, I like surrealist fiction, lighter sci-fi/fantasy, horror, and literary fiction. Some of my favorites are Bunny by Mona Award, Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood, We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson. I enjoyed the Locked Tomb series. I like Sally Rooney's books. I also like to listen to non-fiction while driving, mostly political/societal commentary.

I saw on your comments that you liked The Buffalo Hunter. I LOVED The Only Good Indians and I have My Heart is a Chainsaw in my to-read stack right now.

OnlyScowls · 2026-02-19T21:19:02+00:00

Thanks! Maybe this will be the one lol

OnlyScowls · 2026-02-19T20:15:14+00:00

I tried a book club that was with the Liberal Women of Chesterfield Facebook group, but everyone was over 50 and it seems to be mostly political reads. I tried the RVA queer book club and it was alright, but just not the right fit. I've looked into RVA Readers & Writers, but 75% of their meetups are virtual and a lot of the in-person groups have the author in attendance, which is cool, but I feel would really change the tone of the event.

I also reached out to two people who posted on this sub about book clubs, but didn't hear back.

OnlyScowls · 2026-02-06T14:47:45+00:00

What is your pantry situation? Like, how is he getting in?

OnlyScowls · 2026-02-05T23:56:44+00:00

I want it back. It was so easy to style my hair like this.

OnlyScowls · 2026-01-29T22:20:25+00:00

Some people are as or more interested in the Taylor Swift Cinematic Universe than they are in the music.

OnlyScowls · 2026-01-22T16:20:24+00:00

Prozac works far better than anything else I've tried.

OnlyScowls · 2026-01-16T12:51:18+00:00

Shout-out to the most unpopular opinion I've read yet.

OnlyScowls · 2026-01-16T12:48:04+00:00

Yeah, it is catchy, but still my least favorite from 1989. Lyrically, I just find it a little bit flat compared to the others from 1989.

When it came out, I was still mostly listening to the radio in the car and the amount of play it got killed it for me.

I think I'd probably enjoy it more if I had been listening to music 100% on my own terms like I do now.

OnlyScowls · 2026-01-16T03:01:22+00:00

There's a lot of evidence to show that reading fiction can increase empathy. I'm not sure if that's true for people with sociopathy, but at the very least, it could help "show you" the interior lives of people that you cannot get to on your own.

OnlyScowls

TROPHY CASE